Which one......???? 1

[crwpulsar]

Ok heres the story..
My hard drive is FULL...completely!!!So I have to go buy another hard drive.im looking at an 80Gb hardrive, 7200rpm.The prices in my area are all pretty much the same so thats not really an issue but what I need to know is which would be MOST highly recommended by this forum experts!
1) Western Digital Caviar 8mb Cache/80Gb/7200 €145
2) Western Digital Caviar 8mb Cache/80Gb/7200 €125
3) Seagate Baracuda V 80gb/7200/2mb Cache €120
4) Maxtor ATA133 80gb/7200/2mb Cache €125
5) IBM 80Gb 7200rpm/2mb cache €140
I know a bit about harddrives but no enough to make a proper descision so im looking for some insight???
Thanks in Advance!
David

 

[gargouille]

I favor the WD...lotta' bad rap these days with SGs and IBMs...altho I gotta' say IBM makes (is gonna' start again with some new corporate restructuring) one of the quietest drives out there.

 

[crwpulsar]

Thanks gargouille, I hard heard about the bad rap surounding IBM's hard drives but wasnt aware of the SG's so much appreciated feedback!!
Oh yeah and the second WB digital has a 2mb cache not 8mb!
David

 

[gargouille]

I must also emphasize, crwpulsar, this is just my opinion, and everyone has one of those!
But I've had very good performance from the WD's, and like the 8 MB cache models.
Sorry to say we can buy them cheaper in the US. Think I paid $130 MOL for the last 100 GB WD1000JB I bought. Earlier ones were more expensive.
The one you refer to sells at newegg for $108. Are there tariff issues that make components more expensive?

 

[crwpulsar]

I live in Dublin and have had bad experience buying components from the net...in ireland there are two types of computer based companies...The big ones which are MUCH more expensive than the prices I quoted so you can imagine them!!! And the little companies which although are more expensive than the US or the NET are good if anything goes wrong.plus unlike the big store have IT professionals and engineers to talk to!!
its a pity i have to pay so much money for a harddrive or CPU because I am 5 mins(literally) from a IBM and Intel campas where harddrives and CPU's are manufactured but such is life!!!
Short answer though is that the market for components in ireland is quite small and therefore retailers charge more!!
David

 

[paparazi]

I have used all 5 of these models (not necessarily in these sizes) and my favourate is the WD 8mb cache.
Recently used two 120's on seperate channels for a friend of mine and baby did it fly.
Next would be the IBM.(just my opinion) Martin Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[JarGon]

I have installed a wide range of hard drives for my clients and I must admit I have seen less of those clients that I installed Maxtor or WD. Before you invest question is do you really need the 8 mb cache? If your answer is yes then the $20 difference is worth the investment however compare their warranty hours..